SALES,

BISHOP AND CONFESSOR.

From his writings and authentic lives, chiefly that written by his
nephew, Charles Augustus de Sales: also that by F. Goulu, general of the
Feuillans: that by Henry de Maupas du Tour, bishop of Puy, afterwards of
Evreux: and that by Madame de Bussi-Rabutin, nun of the Visitation See
his life, collected by M. Marsoillier, and done into English by the late
Mr. Crathorne. See also the bull of his canonization, and an excellent
collection of his maxims and private actions, compiled by his intimate
friend and real admirer, M. Peter Caums, bishop of Bellay, in his book,
entitled, L'Espirit de St. Francois de Sales, and in his scarce and
incomparable work under the title. Quel est le meilleur Gouvernement, le
rigoureux ou le dour, printed at Paris without the name of the author,
1636. Though I find not this book in any catalogue of bishop Camus's
works, the conformity of style, and in several places the repetition of
the same expressions which occur in the last-mentioned work, seem to
prove this to be also the production of his pen. See also the excellent
new edition of the letters of St. Francis of Sales, in six volumes,
12mo. 1758.

A.D. 1622.

THE parents of this saint were Francis, count of Sales, and Frances of
Sionas. The countess being with child, offered her fruit to God with the
most fervent prayers, begging he would preserve it from the corruption
of the world, and rather deprive her of the comfort of seeing herself a
mother, than suffer her to give birth to a child who should ever become
his enemy by sin. The saint was born at Sales, three leagues from
Annecy, the seat of that noble family; and his mother was delivered of
him when she was {290} but seven months advanced in her pregnancy.[1]
Hence he was reared with difficulty, and was so weak, that his life,
during his infancy, was often despaired of by physicians. However, he
escaped the danger, and grew robust: he was very beautiful, and the
sweetness of his countenance won the affections of all who saw him: but
the meekness of his temper, the pregnancy of his wit, his modesty,
tractableness, and obedience, were far more valuable qualifications. The
countess could scarce suffer the child out of her sight, lest any
tincture of vice might infect his soul. Her first care was to inspire
him with the most profound respect for the church, and all holy things;
and she had the comfort to observe in him a recollection and devotion at
his